Becoming a personal trainer is a fantastic idea for one of the fastest growing occupations today. As health officials have deemed the world as unfit and unhealthy, more and more people are turning to personal trainers to get into shape. A personal trainer can offer the best workout and diet for specific body types. They will make sure that exercises are being done properly to target, build, and sculpt muscles. To achieve this career, certification is necessary.
Five Easy Steps to Become Certified
- Must have high school diploma or equivalent degree and be of at least 18 years of age.
- Self evaluation of character- Before pursuing a career as a personal trainer, it is best to evaluate yourself first. A personal trainer should be someone who is motivational, physically fit, and has a high level of energy. These three characteristics are important as a personal trainer is a role model to someone who is seeking to become physically fit.
- Choose a school- There are many different schools and ways to achieve certification. You will want to pick the one that best fits your learning capabilities and lifestyle. You may also want to ask your potential employers in your area which route of education they prefer. There are online courses as well as vocational schooling. Build your career on solid ground with an accredited educator.
- Become CPR and AED certified- Personal trainers may often be involved in training persons with orthopedic disabilities or chronic heart conditions so it is important to be able to provide resuscitative skills. You will be required to show proof prior to taking the CPT. You must also be able to provide a hands on training of CPR and AED.
- Sit for the NSCA- CPT- This standardized national test was developed at the peak of fitness training in 1993.
What is the CPT?
The CPT is the certification test for personal trainers. The certified personal trainer exam consists of a 3 hour exam containing 140 scored multiple choice questions and 10 non scored multiple choice questions.
Number of questions
Client Consultation/Assessment 32
Program Planning 45
Techniques of Exercise 45
Safety, Emergency Procedures, and Legal Issues 18
Non scored questions 10
Total 150
*35 of those questions are based upon a video that pertains to knowledge about exercise techniques, functional anatomy, and fitness testing protocols.
Each section of the test is comprised of information learned in course study classes. The focused areas are designed to make sure that the personal trainer is well equipped to handle the job function.
The client consultation/ assessment covers the first interview with a client to discuss their personal expectations and evaluate health and medical history concerns.
While program planning, the personal trainer must be able to set goals that meet the individuals desired results. Proper program planning could also entail specialized adaptations for personalized results. In other words if a client is unable to participate in a certain part of the plan, the personal trainer must be able to access the situation and provide an alternate plan.
Techniques of exercise will express different modes of exercise. They include free weights, exercise machines that provide resistance and cardiovascular challenges. The techniques will also address non mechanical exercises such as stretching, yoga, and palates.
To deal with concerns of liability, safety, emergency procedures, and legal responsibilities will train the individual in CPR, proper precautions to take prior to exercising, and attention to detail. It will also inform the personal trainer of their rights.
The certification is offered both by online testing or paper and pencil testing. Both forms of the exam must be proctored and you must find out where the host exam will be held.
When you show up for the exam, a required fee of $235 for the written or $285 for the computer based test must be presented if you are a member of the NSCA. For non members the fees are $370 and $420 respectively. If you fail the exam, you can retake it for a fee of $185 or $235 for members. Non members will pay $320 or $370 to retake the exam.
